Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence Through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons

Home , The Rise of Endymion

International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE) ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-8 Issue-12, October 2019

Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons.

S Ambadi Narayanan, Beena S Nair

 immortality, further helping them to answer many of the Abstract: The technological competence of a nation is confirmed man‘s deepest doubts and fears. Artificial Intelligence plays by the number of successful space expeditions. Science Fiction an important role in the cultural, psychological and from the early 1900s has dealt with the idea of living in conceptual sociological evolution of human beings. On the other hand, spaces. This paper deals with select works of Dan Simmons including four prize-winning Science Fiction novels which are Simmons also takes us to the unpredictable dualisms within usually referred to as the Hyperion (1989), The Fall of Hyperion the man-machine interface, as it might also lead men into a (1989), Endymion (1996), The Rise of Endymion (1989). In complete estrangement in the cosmos. The Hyperion Cantos modern Techno-Fiction, the mind of the man and the scientific offers a sophisticated vision of the future ahead (29th century) innovation of the machine have been harmoniously brought into comprehending all dimensions of humanely possible existence as Cyborgs through Artificial Intelligence. The life advancements. Speculating on the possible human future, Dan expectancy and the available technical manifestations would seem scarce to get into a feasible interface of enhanced human beings Simmons‘s four novels Hyperion (1989), The Fall of and mechanical efficiency to accelerate the voyage into an Hyperion (1989), Endymion (1996), The Rise of the anticipated future. This study further examines the ways in which Endymion (1989) portray the interconnectedness of man and the incredible complexity of the Cybernetic self has been portrayed his possible evolutions in space. The proposed article in the works of Simmons. The principle aim of this proposed investigates the human intervention and the role of Artificial paper is to understand the context of the technological forces unbridled in the man-machine interface and how it has been Intelligence in self-consciously enhanced and accelerated constitutive of bringing up a new social order. It further analyses evolution. Artificial Intelligence also contributes in how symbolic, social spaces can be experienced adversely by intensifying the natural pace of evolution with the help of multiple Man-Machine synthesis - mutant beings and clones machines and cyborgs. during the planetary invasions. It is unnatural of a Cyborg to The study focusses on societies positioned in the interstices of think politically or materialistically, as the functioning would be conflicting discourses of power, where the birth of a new predominantly based on the commands received from its Artificial Intelligence led consciousness. Moreover, Cybernetics would be order takes place in the wake of man-made crisis in its an exploration into the formidable secrets, the realm of decrypting multiple manifestations. The aim of the proposed article is to ciphers and interpreting codes and cryptograms. Furthermore, examine the ways in which Dan Simmons has tried to create a embracing the possibilities without a foresight into the new social order in The Hyperion Cantos (1989-1996). It Man-Machine synthesis, might lead the whole humanity into a would further examine the extent to which Simmons express catastrophe depicted by Simmons. technological trends and aspirations of the post-modern Keywords: Techno-Fiction, Science Fiction, Cyborg, Cybernetics, culture in Simmons works. The prominent thematic concerns Man-Machine Synthesis. found in the works are the quest for truth, an evolving dystopia, encounter with mutant beings, the unwavering faith I. INTRODUCTION in the Utopian ideal, the conflict between the Good and the The American author Dan Simmons (1948- ) is a prolific Evil and the emergence of new and innovative models of writer who has published in different genres as science fiction, evolution. horror and fantasy. Dan Simmons unleashes a literary These novels powerfully encompass the predicament of panorama of Artificial Intelligence. He redefines various humanity undergoing intense ordeals with reference to possibilities of a technologically enhanced future. The perceptible events like war, rebellion and building alternate characters envisage a holistic future consciousness with the neo-world models. The selected works deal with universal help of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence enhances themes and humanist concerns like dystopian reality and the biological processes and leads men to a state of conflict with hegemony. The author is also concerned about how people try to manipulate memories and justify their past actions as they repress information in order to create multiple Revised Manuscript Received on October 05, 2019. S Ambadi Narayanan , Research Scholar, Department of English, Amrita identities with technical nuances. School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Simmons‘ Science Fiction is not merely about space wars, Campus, Kollam, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] robots, mutants and aliens. It is about world building and Dr. Beena S Nair Assistant Professor (Sr. Grade), Department of English, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences , Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, social orientation. Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, Kerala, India.

Published By: Retrieval Number: L30621081219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.L3062.1081219 3218 & Sciences Publication

Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons. Even the robots depicted by Simmons are furtive machinists, This paper would explore the struggle for Man‘s continuous working for the good of mankind. The Hyperion Cantos search for evolution as depicted in Simmons‘ novels through which begins as a prediction of ruin and a depiction of the the time travel of the Poet, the Politician, the Soldier, the deranged times ends with revival of hope in the platonic ideal Priest, the Scholar, the Detective and the Consul creating of collective good and evolution. The utopian desires and multiple ideal habitats in space. The proposed research also dystopian nightmares of humankind find eloquent expression investigates the self-consciously enhanced and accelerated in popular culture in narratives that focus on future life, nation evolution with human intervention. Man attains a holistic and empire building, technological innovations and social future consciousness, which in the opinion of Tom Lombardo organization. These works depict man as a social being man is the ―total set of psychological processes and modes of experience and behavior involved in our consciousness of the who has to overcome his dormant fears and believe in the future.‖ It includes our hopes and fears about the future; our possibilities of a better future to take forward his culture and planning, strategies, and goals; our futuristic visions and civilization. stories; and our purposeful behaviors to create desired futures and prevent negative possibilities from occurring. II. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY Human dream of Immortality and Ideal state The proposed methodology is based on various postmodern Man attains immortality in Hyperion. Father Lenar Hoyt after theories focusing on concepts such as Posthumanism, reaching Hyperion, in an encounter with a tribe named Bikura Post-anthropocentrism, and Anthropology. A close reading of attains immortality through indigenous practices. A unique the selected novels and excerpts of the text that will help in parasite triggers a terrible cell multiplication so as to bring analyzing the texts was carried out. A general exploration of back dead men. ―…even the terrible illogic of this accursed sci-fi novels was undertaken in this research. bacteria must respect the imperative of the law of conservation of mass.‖ (Simmons, 86) Immortal life has III. THE HYPERION CANTOS AND induced painlessness, mindlessness and an indifference ARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE towards basic human instincts. Nature and Biology do not work that neatly. Besides the Hyperion Cantos offer multiple possibilities for rethinking problem of minimum herd population there were other the human with its non-human others (machines, objects, absurdities. Even though it is difficult to tell the ages of these systems and environments) in the Posthuman era and further smooth-skinned people, it is obvious that no more than ten leading to investigate the man‘s predicament in the years separate the oldest from the youngest…so where are the Postmodern era. The study is also an attempt to analyze very old? Where are the parents, ageing uncles, and Cyborg as a posthuman subject representing the unmarried aunts? At this rate, the entire tribe will enter old contemporary cultural trends. The book also explores some of age at approximately the same time[1].(Simmons, 60) the concepts underlying an understanding of human beings as Hoyt caught in this uninterrupted and undisturbed cycle of life culture bearers and further discusses the issues of cultural attempts suicide several times and every attempt brings him anthropology: the nature of culture, the structure of society, back to life. Men are led into a dissociative regulatory and the functions of ideological systems. condition in which they completely forget themselves and The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons spans three centuries, leave to find a life; after the recovery there are no proofs of beginning in the twenty-ninth century. The themes of human this dissociative state. Father Lenar Hoyt after undergoing the dream of immortality, which involves selling soul; the technology initiated physical transformation says, reincarnation of the poet Keats as a Cyborg within Pain has become my ally, my guardian angel, my remaining cyberspace; technologically enhanced humans who live in link with humanity…I do not wish to die, but I welcome pain outer space; a giant tree space ship; the fall of human and death rather than an eternity of mindless life. life is civilization and innumerable alien ecologies and forms of life sacred- I still hold to that as a core element of the Church‘s and civilization; the narrative of death and resurrection thought and teachings these past twenty-eight hundred years realized through Time travel. The Hyperion Cantos is a when life has been so cheap- but even more sacred is the complex vision of a possible future, covering all dimensions soul[2]. (Simmons, 88) of human life technological, scientific, psychological, social, Utopia is a collective impulse to change the world into a better ethical, cosmic, and religious. Venturing on the post-human place. The realization of any personal goal becomes future, Dan Simmons‘ four novels, Hyperion (1989), The Fall immaterial. The ultimate goal is the benefit of the humanity. It of Hyperion (1989), Endymion (1996), The Rise of Endymion is in this context that Carl Freedman‘s observation becomes (1989) portray the interconnectedness of man and his possible relevant. According to Freedman, ―Utopia‘s hoping or evolution in space. The first novel Hyperion modeled on longing, in other words, possesses an inherently collective Chaucer‘s Canterbury Tales, tells the story of the journey of character and at the bottom has nothing to do with seven pilgrims to the planet Hyperion, having been sent there individualist impulses like greed.‖ Thus, creations of utopia by enigmatic forces, which are expressions of a collective consciousness in its stride include super-intelligent computers and mysterious towards progress. Nonetheless these images of social personages within the institution of religion. The pilgrims‘ perfection serve as a continuous inspiration for mankind in its mission is to confront the Shrike, a giant metallic being progressive evolution. These impulses mirror the desire to covered in razor-like blades that is killing human settlers by escape from reality filled with rebellion, crisis instincts to thousands and seems to come from the future. On the journey, escape from a social condition prevalent with hegemony and the narrator pilgrims such as the poet, the philosopher, the is the foundation of all social colonel, and the priest unfold their personal stories of how change. Frederick L. they came to this critical juncture in their lives.

Published By: Retrieval Number: L30621081219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.L3062.1081219 3219 & Sciences Publication International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE) ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-8 Issue-12, October 2019

Polak argues that ―such dreaming of the future is fundamental Keats he gets diseased with tuberculosis, gets out of his to the continuance of our civilization‖ (53). physical body; his consciousness and collected Simmons constructs a human geography in the outer space information goes into the database of Techno Core. named Hyperion. It is also a social construction of space and Simmons builds up a future space with technological the continuous reshaping of geographic landscapes. determination not closed up by the reinterpretations of Innumerable interpretations of spatial relation can be drawn organism and machines as allegorical texts through from Hyperion, one among the spatial relation is manifested which he unleashes a play of writing. The titles in subjective attitudes of narrator and characters, and deduces Hyperion (1989), The Fall of Hyperion (1989), space as product of human perception. Literary space within Endymion (1996), The Rise of Endymion (1989) Hyperion is an imaginary geography, which is technologically indicates that Simmons is deeply engaged with the enhanced and is the backdrop for spatial relations for the writings of the English nineteenth-century poet John distribution of knowledge, power and prejudices. Space is Keats (1795–1821). There is a plethora of literary also seen as a sign system filled with meaning upon which allusions and quotations in the texts, but the ethical social reality is constituted. core in the novels is expressed through references to some of Keats‘s best-known poems and letters. Despite Simmons‘s great engagement with Keats, critical IV ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND analysis of these novels usually focusses on ENHANCEMENTS technological devices, scientific advancements, or societal issues, and very little of the analysis explore The Hyperion Cantos depicts various possibilities of planet the intertextual contents. invasion within our solar system whose preliminary steps Techno Core and Far casters have been already attempted by various space organizations. A civilization of enhanced humans having unique The Hegemony and the Ousters are the inhabitants within the calibrating system and an independent technologically alternate neo-planetary models proposed by Simmons, where advanced psyche involve themselves in building an Ousters; the modified humans inhabit external space stations omniscient Artificial Intelligence named as the between planets and stars and the interconnected planets are Ultimate Intelligence (UI). Transportation portals are occupied by the Hegemony. developed and managed by Techno Core, whose Cyborgs omniscience is experienced by various interactions Donna Haraway says that "the cyborg has no origin story in through distinct virtual realities. The hidden the Western sense" (151-52). Medical cases have been possibilities and unexplored dimensions within virtual reported regarding the efforts taken for genetically upgrading reality is traced by Simmons as he effectively uses it for the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS cells) to recalibrate simulating the environment of an outer space and uses dysfunctional genetic sequences to functional ones. Modern it as an effective method for physical rehabilitation in medicine employs several archetypes of cyborgs and the future ahead if earth faces an external threat. The interestingly US Budget once had a cyborg program to be world within the Hyperion Cantos, guided by Artificial financed with $84 billion. Science Fiction is extensively Intelligence has several planets interconnected by time preoccupied with cyborgs; predominantly in the form of portals named Far casters. Far casters are individuals created by the amalgamation of machine transportation devices that enable the travel beyond the consciousness and biotics. Cyborgs programmed with speed of light. Artificial Intelligence is devoid of all humane instincts and the Death and True Death continually attempt to improve the conditions of existence People of Bikura tribe call themselves ―Three score and ten‖ without evolving themselves. Moreover, the only motive [three scores (years) and ten means seventy; a score is an old would of attaining the pre-programmed goals rather than term for twenty]. It is supposed to be a lifespan of a man, as other materialistic preoccupations. per Psalms 90.) Neural implants are fixed inside the body of In the words of Donna Haraway, the tribes for retarded aging and kill themselves unless a The cyborg does not dream of community on the model requirement is required. According to the law of ―Three score of the organic family, this time without the oedipal and ten‖ total population cannot exceed beyond seventy. project. The cyborg would not recognize the Garden of Similarly, with the help of technology assisted biological Eden; it is not made of mud and cannot dream of process body of a deceased person is frozen from returning to dust. Perhaps that is why I want to see if decomposing until medical cures are invented, so that it may cyborgs can subvert the apocalypse of returning to bring the body back to life. the Bikura live normal-length nuclear dust in the manic compulsion to name the lives, have children at a normal rate, but kill them unless a Enemy. Cyborgs are not reverent; they do not replacement is required. They may practice abstinence or re-member the cosmos. They are wary of hol - ism, but birth control- other than slaughtering the newborn- until the needy for connection—they seem to have a natural feel entire band reaches an age where new blood will soon be for united-front politics, but without the vanguard needed. A mass- birthing time explains the apparent common party. The main trouble with cyborgs, of course, is that age of the members of the tribe[4]. (Simmons, 61) they are the ille - gitimate of spring of militarism and The people are sexless. Not celibate, hermaphroditic or patriarchal capitalism, not to mention state socialism undeveloped- sexless. Humans engage in purposeful [3]. (Harraway,9) evolution, attempting to improve upon their nature and their Joseph Severn in Hyperion, a cyborg with the Artificial conditions of existence. Intelligence persona of poet John Keats finds a world which seems to be an exact miniature of earth but like

Published By: Retrieval Number: L30621081219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.L3062.1081219 3220 & Sciences Publication

Conceptualizing Artificial Intelligence through Alternate Neo-Planetary Models in the Science Fiction of Dan Simmons. Humans continually attempt to evolve their minds and 11. Gavins, Joanna. Text World Theory: An Introduction. Edinburgh capacities, and in so doing, improve their abilities to more University Press, 2006 12. Locke, John.An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.Vol. One. effectively and wisely change reality toward desirable ends. New York: Dover Publications, 1995. ―…what a sacrifice it must have been for the Son of God to 13. Lowenthal, David. The Past is a Foreign Country. New York: condescend to become the Son of Man.‖ (Simmons,27) Cambridge University Press, 1985. 14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Burns 15. An interview with Kazuo Ishiguro [online]. 2012 [q. 2016-01-08]. III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Available from: Virtual Reality and innovations in Artificial Intelligence has a http://www.themanbookerprize.com/latest/interview-kazuo-ishiguro 16. Matthews, Sean and Sebastian Groes eds. Kazuo Ishiguro: great preoccupation in numerous modern operating systems Contemporary Critical Perspectives. London:Continuum International and applications. Simmons conceptualizes numerous Publishing Group, 2009. enhanced versions of the existing prototypes which the 17. McDonald, Keith. ‗Days of Past Future: Kazuo Ishiguro‘s Never Let Me humanity would be pursuing in near future. The various Go as Speculative Memoir.‘ Biography 30.1. Winter 2007. characters of Simmons conjure mental picture of an ideal civilization in one form or the other which are manifestations AUTHORS PROFILE of this alternate models to bring in a social change. These structures vary in form and space in accordance with the S Ambadi Narayanan Research Scholar at Amrita social circumstances of the subject and this account for the School of Arts and Sciences, Amritapuri. Received varied range of technological upgradation. For example, Integrated MA in English Language and Literature from Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa mutant beings in Hyperion Cantos and human clones in Never Vidyapeetham in 2018. Presented papers at Let Me Go. The alternate models seem to be against social International Conferences held at Central University of stratification and further more ensures an organic unity. Gujarat, English and Foreign University, Hyderabad; and Birla Institute of Imagination has a great role in conceptualizing the Technology and Science, Goa. possibilities, in fact various protypes are imaginary models of Dr. Beena S Nair is an Assistant Professor (Sr. Grade) Vice Chairperson, the unseen. Artistic ingenuity beautifully amalgamates man, Department of English, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa mind and machine in The Hyperion Cantos. Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, Kerala, India. She has over 9 years of teaching experience in India and West Asia; 5 years of IV. CONCLUSION research experience as Junior Research Fellow and With human capabilities and a three-dimensional perspective Senior Research Fellow of UGC. Currently she is Member, Board of Studies (English Language and of the world, attaining an ideal world would be next to Literature) in Amrita and is active in research as Thesis Advisor, Doctoral impossible. Cyborgology and Artificial Intelligence would be Committee Member of PhD candidates in English and Social Work. She is the next important steps with which the entire humankind also one of the coordinators of FSLE-India for its Kerala (South) region. She would be making a giant leap into further technologically has published papers in national and international journals such as RJELL, IJELLH; several articles as book chapters in Explorations in Cultural enhanced evolution. Defense organizations have already put Humanities: A Collection of Essays, Literature & Technology: An Interface, themselves into the various nuances of Cybernetics for cyborg Collection of Edited Articles and has presented papers in national and arms and military. At the same time, technology should not be international conferences. the finest way to wipe out the entire human race from the planet. The extensive influence of technology would be the driving force behind its utilization regardless of its pervasive risks. An Artificial Intelligence civilization with a cybernetic consciousness as depicted by Simmons would prove fatal. Whereas a diplomatic use of techniques and machines for labor and consciousness part being humane would be the eloquent balance between man and machine.

REFERENCES 1. Simmons, Dan. The Rise of Endymion. Bantam Books, 1998. 2. -. Endymion. Gollancz, 2006. 3. -. Hyperion. Del Rey, 2017. 4. Ishiguro, Kazuo. Never Let Me Go. London: Faber and Faber, 2005. 5. Aldiss, Brian W., and David Wingrove. Trillion Year Spree: The History of Science Fiction. New York: Avon, 1988. Print 6. Allbery, Russ. Rev. of The Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons. 28 Dec. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. 7. —. Rev. of Hyperion by Dan Simmons. 16 Dec. 2004. Web. 28 March 2015. 8. Bate, Walter Jackson. ―Negative capability.‖ KEATS—A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Walter Jackson Bate. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: PrenticeHall, 1964. 51 - 68. Print. 9. Stewart, Zachary. ―Machina ex Deo: Embodiments of Evil in Dan Simmons‘s Hyperion Cantos.‖ Diss. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fl., 2013. 10. Stewart, Zachary. ―Machina ex Deo: Embodiments of Evil in Dan Simmons‘s Hyperion Cantos.‖ Diss. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fl., 2013.

Published By: Retrieval Number: L30621081219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.L3062.1081219 3221 & Sciences Publication